It's that wonderful time once more... Time for another edition of "These Cards are AMAZING!!", the segment where a small portion of the next Japanese Set of Battle Spirits is released for all to gaze at in awe and admiration!

Light CHARGE abilities taken to new heights of strength? Darkness RUSH abilities with more Gem Color combinations?? More Sword Braves for Light and Darkness unveiled?! Ninetail Dark gets a new powered-up form?!?

This is but a sample of what to look forward to in Battle Spirits's latest set, BLADE'S EDGE SAGA, Chapter II: "Cross Crisis ~Chaos Blade War Records~" [剣刃編第二章「乱剣戦記」KENJINHEN (Tsurugi-hen) Dainishou: "Ranken Senki (Kurosu-Kuraishisu)"], coming to stores this December 21st (Oh, how neat! Just in time for Christmas!). This 92-card set (46 Commons/18 Uncommons/12 Rares/8 Master Rares/6 Spirit X-Rares/2 Sword Brave X-Rares) will feature both CHARGE and RUSH abilities in new dimensions and evolutions while showcasing some of the most popular Spirits featured in this anime series.

The folks at Bandai decided to change their revealing schedule yet again, but as usual it's a gradual reveal/countdown towards the release of the new set. Enjoy~!

Last edited by Smash Spirit on Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:45 pm; edited 4 times in total

For a change of pace, I've decided to do a "Bonus Preview" post first, before the actual website reveals. These cards already got their spotlight through the Biweekly Battle Bloggers and even the anime itself, so it makes sense to show off these guys first. The first two are the poster Spirits for this set, after all!

"BALDANDERS THE BLACK CORPSE KING"Earn the RAGE ability through the new dark powers of RUSH! Use your opponent to bring this Spirit back from the grave!!

When This Spirit Attacks (Lv. 1-2-3): Destroy an exhausted enemy Spirit with a Core Cost of 7 or less.Darkness Spirit Ability RUSH Conditions: "Ruby Gem Symbol"If the above conditions are currently available on your Field, proceed to activate the following effect.(Ruby Gem Symbol):If your opponent has any unexhausted Spirits, he/she must block this attack.When Destroyed (Lv. 2-3): Choose a card in your opponent's hand for him/her to discard. If the card chosen is a Spirit Card, this Spirit returns to the Field refreshed.By his own hands, the Corpse King will punish all who dare revolt against him.<<Name Origin: "Baldanders" (German, "the Soon-Another"), a shapeshifting creature who represents the continual change of nature and society, as well as the concept of familiarizing oneself with the common from another perspective; first conceived by shoemaker/writer Hans Sachs; featured in The Book of Imaginary Beings by Jorge Luis Borges>>

—————"LARAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL"Exile your rival's forces from the Field with the Archangel's radiant powers!

During Your Attack Phase (Lv. 1-2-3): When one of your "Divine Spirit" Attribute Spirits attacks, one enemy Spirit loses –3000BP for the duration of this turn.When This Spirit Attacks (Lv. 2-3): When an enemy Spirit loses all of its Battle Points, you can send all Spirits with zero Battle Points back to the top of their player's deck.(Lv. 3) CHARGE <<Special Light Spirit Ability>>(Topaz Version)Strengthen the Battle Point depleting abilities of your cards by a further –1000BP.Her command quells the chaos and boosts morale.

—————"SHINING FLAME"A heavy Spell with devastating effects! Enhance it further with CHARGE, and you've got a juggernaut of a Spell!!

(Lv. 1): CHARGE <<Special Light Spirit Ability>>(Topaz Version)Strengthen the Battle Point depleting abilities of your cards by a further –1000BP.BRAVE FUSION: 5+ Core Cost[BRAVE FUSION]: CHARGE <<Special Light Spirit Ability>>(Topaz Version)Strengthen the Battle Point depleting abilities of your cards by a further –1000BP.[BRAVE FUSION] When This Spirit Brave Attacks: For the duration of this turn, one enemy Spirit loses –3000BP. If that targeted Spirit is lowered to zero Battle Points for the first time during this turn, refresh this Spirit.Whosoever wields this holy blade shall receive divine protection and be guided to radiant glory.

—————"DATUS OF THE TRIDENT"This Fighting Spirit with the CRUSH ability wields this legendary weapon to decimate decks!

When This Spirit Attacks (Lv. 1-2-3): CRUSH <Special Sapphire Ability>Your opponent must discard a number of cards from the top of his/her deck equal to the current Battle Level of this Spirit."The Giants sent us by ship to the next region. They even repelled the pirates we encountered along the way. They're a very reliable bunch, unlike another certain someone I know...." —The Murmurs of Lapis, the Third of the Month of Minazuki—

—————"SHINOBI CHUUHI"His two options are his unique feature. Use his effects to toy with your enemies!

When Summoned (Lv. 1-2): Either exhaust an enemy Spirit, or add a Core from the Void to one of your Spirits.When in Battle (Lv. 2): When the battle ends, you can return this Spirit to your hand."I have failed my mission. I let the Shinobi general's Sword get robbed! As enemies of our enemies are potential allies, I now ask for assistance from shinobi of other camps." —The Murmurs of Lapis, the Third of the Month of Yayoi—<<Name Origin (Fusion): 忍 "Shinobi" (ninja) + 沢鵟 "Chuuhi" [Japanese, "Eastern Marsh Harrier" (Circus spilonotus)]>>

—————"HEAVYARMOR KNIGHT GOLLMACK"A Double Symbol armored knight that bounces up to four cards back to your rival's hand!

(Lv. 1-2): CHARGE <<Special Light Spirit Ability>>(Diamond Version)Increase the number of Spirits that get refreshed through your cards' abilities by +1.When This Spirit Attacks (Lv. 2): You can reveal the top four cards of your deck. For each Spirit Card revealed, return one enemy Spirit from the Field back to your opponent's hand. Afterwards, discard your revealed cards.That equipment, that grand presence... Being quite different from myself, there is something to admire about him.<<Name Origin: "Goll mac Morna," famous for killing Fionn mac Cumhail's father in battle and taking over leadership of the Fianna Knights before eventually stepping aside for Fionn (Irish mythology)>>

Main Phase: For the duration of this turn, treat all of your 4-Core-Cost-or-higher Spirits as if they had no Gem Color at all.Darkness Spell Ability RUSH Conditions: "Ruby Gem Symbol"If the above conditions are currently available on your Field, proceed to activate the following effect.(Ruby Gem Symbol):Destroy one of your opponent's Nexus.Flash Timing: For the duration of this turn, one of your Spirits gains +2000BP.

—————"YAGO-ISOBANA"RUSH Combo after High Speed summoning this Spirit to bounce weaker Spirits back to your rival's hand!

Flash Timing: HIGH SPEED <Special Emerald Ability>During the Flash Timing Phase, you can summon this Spirit from your hand to the Field. All Cores required for summoning this Spirit must be paid from your Reserve when using this ability.Darkness Spirit Ability RUSH Conditions: "Diamond Gem Symbol"If the above conditions are currently available on your Field, proceed to activate the following effect.(Diamond Gem Symbol):Return one opposing Spirit with 3000BP or less to your opponent's hand."The Insects are on a rampage... They can't be stopped... Must contact the other regions...." —The Mutterings of Luchiru, the Third of the Month of Nagatsuki—<<Name Origin (Fusion): ヤゴ "Yago" (Japanese: dragonfly larvae) + イソバナ "Isobana" [Japanese: fan coral (Melithaea flabellifera)]>>

—————"EXECUTIONERS, CRIMINAL SKULLBLADEThe first Brave to wield the "Immortality" ability! Together with its destructive powers, resurrect this Sword as you deal the death penalty to your foes!!

During Each Attack Phase: IMMORTALITY: "Zombie" Attribute <Special Amethyst Ability>If this Brave Card is in your Trash, you can summon it to the Field when one of your Spirits with the same Attribute stated above is destroyed.BRAVE FUSION: 5+ Core Cost[BRAVE FUSION] When in Battle: By destroying this Brave, force your opponent to destroy one of his/her own Spirits.This blade has been used in many executions over the years. With each slaughter, its aura grows more and more sinister.

Flash Timing: Refresh one of your Spirits. Afterwards, for the duration of this turn, all of your Spirits that got refreshed through this Spell Card cannot be targeted by the special effects of your opponent.

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(Flash Timing) During Each Attack Phase (Lv. 1-2): By sending one Core on your Field to your Trash, destroy one opposing Spirit whose effects state that it cannot be blocked.His intimidating outfit and menacing poise make him difficult to catch in a calm manner. The same though can be said for his favorite prey.<<Name Origin: 沙悟浄 "Shā Wùjìng" (a.k.a. "Sandy;" Japanese: "Sha Gojou"), a general of Heaven and disciple of Xuánzàng in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West>>* This card is essentially [BS09-047] Sangojaw the Sharkman's enhanced form.

(Lv. 1-2-3): When any of your Spirits with a Core Cost of 3 or less get destroyed due to the special effects of your opponent, you may have said targeted Spirits remain on your Field in the exhausted position.(Lv. 1-2-3): CHARGE <<Special Light Spirit Ability>>(Topaz Version)Strengthen the Battle Point depleting abilities of your cards by a further –1000BP.The inheritor of the Sword passed down for generations in a country filled with light. She singlehandedly anchored entire masses of land together just before they crashed, thus preventing their fall.<<Name Origin: "Aegis," a large collar or cape worn in ancient times to display the protection provided by a high religious authority; originally derived from the protective shield associated with a religious figure, particularly in Greek mythology and legend>>

—————"SLAVE GAIASURA"The legendary GaiAsura has returned!?! Use "Ultimate Evolution" for an unbeatable refresh!!

(Lv. 1-2-3): Neither player can remove Cores from this Spirit.Flash Timing (Lv. 1-2-3): ULTIMATE EVOLUTION <Special Ruby Ability>You can move any number of Cores on your Spirits and place them on this Spirit; doing so refreshes this Spirit from the exhausted position.His very existence is an evil omen. Could he be foreshadowing the end of the world...?!<<Name Origin (Fusion): "Gaea" (primal Greek goddess of the Earth) + アース "Aasu" ("Earth" in Japanese katakana) + "Asura" [a group of power-hungry nature deities (Hinduism), known as 阿修羅 "Ashura" in Japanese]>> **also see [BS10-X01] GaiAsura the Phantomstar Dragonlord**

—————"SPIEL THE ANGEL"The very first zero-Core-Cost Topaz Spirit with the CHARGE Ability!

(Lv. 1-2): CHARGE <<Special Light Spirit Ability>>(Topaz Version)Strengthen the Battle Point depleting abilities of your cards by a further –1000BP."As we were leaving the Kouten Region, one of the Angels gave me a weapon as a symbol of our friendship." —The Murmurs of Lapis, the Fourth of the Month of Satsuki—<<Possible Name Origin(?): "Spear">>

—————"TOBIMARU, WIND SHIELD GUARDIANHe exhausts his foes and protects his low-Cost allies... These are the talents of a true Guardian!!

(Lv. 1-2): When any of your Spirits with a Core Cost of 3 or less get destroyed due to the special effects of your opponent, you may have said targeted Spirits remain on the Field in the exhausted position.When in Battle (Lv. 2): Your opponent must exhaust one of his/her own Spirits.The inheritor of the Sword passed down for generations in the land where the winds dance. When the forest was burning to cinders, it was he who rescued the forest's residents from peril.

(Lv. 1-2-3): CHARGE <<Special Light Spirit Ability>>(Sapphire Version)Increase the number of cards your opponent must discard through your cards' abilities by +1.When This Spirit Attacks (Lv. 1-2-3): By exhausting one of your Spirits (other than "Patroclus, Mounted Wargeneral") that has the Special Light Spirit Ability CHARGE, you can refresh this Spirit.The one to unite these robust Giants is the one accepted by himself and others as the strongest general.<<Name Origin: "Patroclus" (Original Greek: "Patroklos"), beloved comrade and brother-in-arms of Achilles (Greek mythology: Homer's The Iliad)>>

When This Spirit Attacks (Lv. 1-2-3): Send a Core from an enemy Spirit to your opponent's Reserve.Darkness Spirit Ability RUSH Conditions: "Ruby Gem Symbol"If the above conditions are currently available on your Field, proceed to activate the following effect.(Ruby Gem Symbol):You can choose a target enemy Spirit to attack.Unable to preserve its own flesh, its body has been reduced to mere bones, but it still maintains adherence to its aerial territory.<<Name Origin (Fusion): "Wyvern Bone">>

—————"SATERAT"Invincible against Amethyst and Sapphire Cards, this Spirit provides the perfect defense against deck millers!

(Lv. 1-2): Neither player's deck can be milled (forced to discard cards).(Lv. 2): INVINCIBILITY: Amethyst/Sapphire <Special Diamond Ability>This Spirit is invincible against the effects of all opposing Spirits, Braves, Nexus, and Spell Cards of the Gem Colors stated above.Noncombatants by nature, the role of these rats is to receive reports and offer them to their allies. As their small lithe bodies suggest, they do so quietly and gently.<<Name Origin (Fusion): "Satellite Rat">>

—————"THE END DRAGONIS, EMPEROR DRAGON OF DESTRUCTION"Able to refresh himself multiple times over during a barrage attack, this Dragon destroys all in his path!!

(Lv. 1-2-3-4): All the Cores on your destroyed Spirits get placed on this Spirit instead of going to your Reserve.During Your Attack Phase (Lv. 2-3-4): When any of your Spirits besides "The End Dragonis, Emperor Dragon of Destruction" get blocked by an enemy Spirit, refresh this Spirit.(Flash Timing) When This Spirit Attacks (Lv. 3-4): Refresh this Spirit by destroying another one of your own Spirits. This effect can only be used up to three times per turn.The emblem of destruction has begun the countdown.

Last edited by Smash Spirit on Mon Dec 24, 2012 7:00 pm; edited 5 times in total